Air mattress system

ABSTRACT

A portable air mattress system includes an inflatable member expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state. An inflation device is in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The inflation device is configured to selectively inflate the inflatable member to the inflated state. Further, the inflation device can be removed and reattached by the user. A power supply cable is in electrical communication with the inflation device. The power supply cable is configured to provide electrical power from a power source to the inflation device so as to power the inflation device. The terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to mattresses and more particularly inflatable and deflatable air mattresses.

SUMMARY

Air mattresses are commonly used to provide a quick, convenient and comfortable sleeping surface. Air mattresses are typically inflated by an air pump and deflated by a release valve. However, most air mattresses are typically not convenient to carry around as they are bulky and the inflation air pumps are bulky. Therefore, there exists a significant need for an air mattress having improved convenience.

In one embodiment, a portable air mattress system comprises an inflatable member expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state; a removable inflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member, the inflation device configured to selectively inflate the inflatable member to the inflated state; and a power supply cable in electrical communication with the inflation device, the power supply cable configured to provide electrical power from a power source to the inflation device so as to power the inflation device, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

In another embodiment, a method for inflating an air mattress comprises: providing an inflatable member expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state; providing an inflation device wherein the inflation device is removable and includes a power cable configured to provide electrical power from a power source to the inflation device, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector; placing the inflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member such that the inflation device is capable of selectively inflating the inflatable member to the inflated state when the inflation device is powered by a power source; inflating the inflatable member by powering the inflation device with a power source.

In yet another embodiment, an inflation-deflation device comprises: a first fan configured to inflate an inflatable member; a second fan configured to deflate an inflatable member; and a power supply cable in electrical communication with the first fan and second fan and configured to selectively power each of the first fan and second fan, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1A shows an air mattress system in a deflated state.

FIG. 1B shows an air mattress system in an inflated state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air mattress system in the inflated state.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative inflation-deflation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the FIGS. wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, an air mattress system 100 is shown. The air mattress system 100 includes an inflatable member 102. The inflatable member 102 is configured to expand and contract between a deflated state (FIG. 1A) and an inflated state (FIG. 1B). The inflatable member 102 may be formed from any suitable lightweight and durable material. The inflatable member 102 may include one or more internal cells, partitions or baffles to ensure a more even inflation across the width and/or length of the inflatable member 102. In one embodiment, the inflatable member 102 is conveniently sized to fit into a backpack, brief case or bag when in the deflated state. In an alternative embodiment, the approximate dimensions of the inflatable member in the deflated state are 11-inches by 13-inches by 1-inch. It will be appreciated that the inflatable member 102 may have any suitable size or configuration and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in the illustrative embodiment, the system 100 also includes an inflation-deflation device 104 in fluid communication with the inflatable member 102. The inflation-deflation device 104 is configured to contract or expand the inflatable member 102 between the inflated state and the deflated state. The inflation-deflation device 104 includes a first fan 106 configured to draw air into the inflatable member 102 and expand the inflatable member 102 to the inflated state. The inflation-deflation device 104 may also include a deflation fan 108 configured to draw air from the inflatable member to the surrounding environment so as to deflate the member 102. Further the inflation-deflation device 104 can be removed and reattached by the user.

The inflation-deflation device 104 includes a power supply cable 110 in electrical communication with each of the first fan 106 and second fan 108. The power supply cable 110 is configured to provide electrical power from any suitable power source to each of the fans 106, 108. The terminal end of the power cable 110 includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector 112 to permit the inflation-deflation device 104 to be powered by any suitable USB enabled device such as a laptop computer, a USB power block, or any other suitable device. The inflation-deflation device 104 may include a switch 114 that a user may employ to selectively activate either of the fans 106, 108 or power the device off. While the illustrative embodiment employs both an inflation fan and a deflation fan, it will be appreciated that a system may include only one of the inflation fan or deflation fan and remain within the present disclosure. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the system may include any suitable device or means for inflating or deflating the inflatable member 102 and remain within the present disclosure. For example, and without limitation, a valve may be included to at least assist in deflating the inflatable member 102.

In use, the inflatable member 102 may be unfolded and stretched out. The USB connector 112 may be inserted in a suitable USB port to provide power to the inflation-deflation device 104. The inflation-deflation device 104 may then be selectively powered to power the inflation fan 106 to inflate the inflatable member 102. When finished with the system 100, the inflation-deflation device 104 may be selectively powered to power the deflation fan 106 to deflate the inflatable member 102. Once deflated, the inflatable member 102 may be folded or otherwise stored.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A portable air mattress system comprising: an inflatable member expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state; an inflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member, the inflation device configured to selectively inflate the inflatable member to the inflated state; and a power supply cable in electrical communication with the inflation device, the power supply cable configured to provide electrical power from a power source to the inflation device so as to power the inflation device, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a deflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member, wherein the deflation device is configured to deflate the inflatable member to the deflated state, and wherein the deflation device is in electrical communication with the power supply cable.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the deflation device includes a fan.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the inflatable member includes a valve in communication with the inflatable member.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the inflatable member has approximate dimensions of 11-inches by 13-inches by 1-inch when in the deflated state.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the inflation device includes a fan.
 7. A method for inflating an air mattress comprising: providing an inflatable member expandable from a deflated state to an inflated state; providing an inflation device wherein the inflation device includes a power cable configured to provide electrical power from a power source to the inflation device, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector; placing the inflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member such that the inflation device is capable of selectively inflating the inflatable member to the inflated state when the inflation device is powered by a power source; inflating the inflatable member by powering the inflation device with a power source.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a deflation device in fluid communication with the inflatable member, wherein the deflation device is operable to deflate the inflatable member to the deflated state.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising deflating the inflatable member to the deflated state with the deflation device.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the inflatable member has approximate dimensions of 11-inches by 13-inches by 1-inch when in the deflated state.
 11. An inflation-deflation device comprising: a first fan configured to inflate an inflatable member; a second fan configured to deflate an inflatable member; and a power supply cable in electrical communication with the first fan and second fan and configured to selectively power each of the first fan and second fan, wherein the terminal end of the power supply cable includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector. 